Overview

'Elena Ferrante has established herself as the foremost writer in Italy - and the world.' - The Sunday Times A delightful collection of essays exploring reading and writing from the internationally acclaimed author of My Brilliant Friend and The Lying Life of Adults. Ferrante's writing has been described as compulsive (The Times) and astonishing (Guardian), her novels have sold millions and been translated into many languages as well as adapted for TV internationally. In the Margins contains her latest reflections on literature, and the works and authors that have influenced her throughout her career.

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9781787704169

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Reviews

The author of the Neapolitan quartet and the Pulitzer prize-winning novelist discuss identity, ambition, truth - and the 'convulsive' urge to write. * The Guardian * In the Margins makes the seemingly arcane problems of the writer feel immediate and vivid. Reading it is a pleasure. * The Times * In this slim volume of four essays, Elena Ferrante explores her art and influences. In the Margins illuminates the themes that characterise her novels: intense female friendships, mother-daughter relationships and betrayal..... If there's any lingering doubt about Ferrante's gender, this homage to female talent, impeccably translated by Ann Goldstein, suggests otherwise. * The Financial Times * Ferrante fans will open this slim new book with eagerness. * The Sunday Times * Ferrante can't help but arouse intrigue and admiration. * The Observer * Ferrante reflects on style, her literary influences, the arduous journey of women in literature and details the struggles she's faced as a fiction writer in this crisp essay collection. * The New York Times * A rare peek behind the curtain of the creative process of one of our most elusive authors....it is nothing short of a thrill to have light shed on her magic. * Irish Times * A fascinating line flows directly into her novels from her contentions that women have historically been seen as excessive and that their words get lost in the wind . * The Telegraph * At some point, reading Ferrante's novels, the fictional universe and that inside your head seem to melt into each other. Such is the power, and truth, of her writing. In the Margins shines a little light on where, exactly, it all came from - but not too brightly. The mystery, you feel, should endure; the deeper meaning should remain opaque and oblique. * Irish Independent * Ferrante reflects on style, her literary influences, the 'arduous journey' of women in literature and details the struggles she's faced as a fiction writer in this crisp essay collection. * New York Times Book Review * A fascinating peek into Ferrante's process, one that opens up intellectual rabbit holes and as many new questions as it answers. * The Paris Review * The author explores the truth behind women's writing. * Stylist * Ranging from philosophical to practical, the essays give the reader an insight into the enigmatic author's mind, and include an exploration of what a writer is. * BBC Culture * In the Margins is the culmination of [Ferrante's] thought and of decades of narrative enterprise. * Reading in Translation * In the Margins is nothing if not a meditation on learning how to use freedom within the constraints of form....those fascinated with the struggles and joys of creation might find in it quite a few treasures. * The Critic * Highlighting the power of the written word, this is a deeply captivating, insightful and immersive collection, providing a fascinating account into Ferrante's writing life; the perfect influence-in-waiting for anyone who shares a passion for both reading and writing. * Buzz Magazine * You don't need to have read the Italian author's blockbuster Neapolitan novels to enjoy this, her third foray into non-fiction. * Irish News *

"“The author of the Neapolitan quartet and the Pulitzer prize-winning novelist discuss identity, ambition, truth – and the ‘convulsive’ urge to write.” * The Guardian * “In the Margins makes the seemingly arcane problems of the writer feel immediate and vivid. Reading it is a pleasure.” * The Times * “In this slim volume of four essays, Elena Ferrante explores her art and influences. In the Margins illuminates the themes that characterise her novels: intense female friendships, mother-daughter relationships and betrayal….. If there’s any lingering doubt about Ferrante’s gender, this homage to female talent, impeccably translated by Ann Goldstein, suggests otherwise.” * The Financial Times * “Ferrante fans will open this slim new book with eagerness.” * The Sunday Times * “Ferrante can’t help but arouse intrigue and admiration.” * The Observer * ""Ferrante reflects on style, her literary influences, the “arduous journey” of women in literature and details the struggles she’s faced as a fiction writer in this crisp essay collection.""    * The New York Times * “A rare peek behind the curtain of the creative process of one of our most elusive authors….it is nothing short of a thrill to have light shed on her magic.” * Irish Times * ""A fascinating line flows directly into her novels from her contentions that women have historically been seen as excessive and that their words ""get lost in the wind"". * The Telegraph * “At some point, reading Ferrante’s novels, the fictional universe and that inside your head seem to melt into each other. Such is the power, and truth, of her writing. In the Margins shines a little light on where, exactly, it all came from — but not too brightly. The mystery, you feel, should endure; the deeper meaning should remain opaque and oblique.” * Irish Independent * “Ferrante reflects on style, her literary influences, the ‘arduous journey’ of women in literature and details the struggles she’s faced as a fiction writer in this crisp essay collection.”  * New York Times Book Review * ""A fascinating peek into Ferrante’s process, one that opens up intellectual rabbit holes and as many new questions as it answers."" * The Paris Review * “The author explores the truth behind women’s writing.” * Stylist * “Ranging from philosophical to practical, the essays give the reader an insight into the enigmatic author's mind, and include an exploration of what a writer is.” * BBC Culture * ""In the Margins is the culmination of [Ferrante's] thought and of decades of narrative enterprise.” * Reading in Translation * “In the Margins is nothing if not a meditation on learning how to use freedom within the constraints of form….those fascinated with the struggles and joys of creation might find in it quite a few treasures.” * The Critic * “Highlighting the power of the written word, this is a deeply captivating, insightful and immersive collection, providing a fascinating account into Ferrante’s writing life; the perfect influence-in-waiting for anyone who shares a passion for both reading and writing.” * Buzz Magazine * “You don't need to have read the Italian author's blockbuster Neapolitan novels to enjoy this, her third foray into non-fiction.” * Irish News *"

Author Information

Elena Ferrante is the author of The Days of Abandonment (Europa, 2005), Troubling Love (Europa, 2006), The Lost Daughter (Europa, 2008) and the four volumes of the Neapolitan Quartet (My Brilliant Friend, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, and The Story of the Lost Child), published by Europa Editions between 2012 and 2015. She is also the author of a children's picture book illustrated by Mara Cerri, The Beach at Night, and a work of non-fiction, Frantumaglia: A Writer's Journey. Incidental Inventions, her collected Guardian columns, was published in 2019.

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